Washing machine



Jan. 19, 1937. c. J. SODERH.OLM

WASHING MACHINE 1 Iwvenior fly hZ JAZZOT TI/ eyS Filed Nov. 14, 1935 Patented Jan. 19, 1937 UNITED I STATES PATENT OFFICE I WASHING MACHINE Carl J. Soderholm, Minneapolis, Minn. Application November 14, 1935', Serial No. 49,741 1 11 Claims.

This invention relates to washing machines.

Heretofore numerous Washing machines have been developed of the injected, water stream type, i. e. where the water action is accomplished in a tub without the use of moving parts in the tub and solely by injecting a stream or streams of water within the tub. Such machines have met with but limited commercial success by reason of the fact that the washing fluid, containing soap, will foam excessively and no successful provision has been made to prevent cumulative foaming action.

It is one of the main objects of the present invention to provide a novel and improved washing machine of the injected water stream type wherein excess foaming of the washing fiuid is prevented. I

'To these ends, generally stated, the invention consists in the novel parts and novel combinations of parts and in the novel processes and the novel steps in the processes hereinafter defined in the claims, and described in the following specification, made in connection with the accompanying drawing; wherein like reference characters refer to the same or similar parts throughout the various views, and, in which,

Fig. l is a central vertical section taken through a washing machine embodying the invention on the line l-l of Fig. 2, as indicated by the arrows;

Fig. 2 isa vertical section taken on the line 22 of Fig. 1, as indicated by the arrows;.and

Fig. 3 is a plan of the tub of the machine. For ease of description in the specification and claims, the front of the machine is considered to shown in Fig. 1, of the drawing.

Referring to the drawing, there is provided, in accordance with the form illustrated, a tub 40 designated as an entirety by the letter A. This general shape of the bowl of an ordinary Irishmans clay smoking pipe. In plan view the tub A is of general circular shape; intransverse vertical section, as shown in Fig. 2, the tub is of general semi-circular shape; and in central longitudinal vertical section as shown in Fig. 1, the tub is of somewhat forwardly tipped funnelshape. The back 4 of the tub is for the most part vertically disposed, curving into the sides 5 and also curving into the bottom 6. The bottom 6, while being dished and curving into the sides 5, inclines generally upwardly and forwardly from the back 4 tomerge into the upwardly curved front I. Set normal to the upper part a be the left hand portion of the machine, as.

tub can probably best be described as having theof the front 1 and projecting rearwardly therefrom is a top'section forming a water deflector 8. The upper parts of the sides 5'and the back. 4 are quite sharply inwardly curved adjacent the level of the deflector 8 to form the continuously 5, inwardly curved upper section 9. A multiplicity of circumferentially spaced drain apertures ID are provided in the curved upper section 9 and in the form shown rows of these apertures are provided at threefldifierent levels, the two lower 10 rows being at levels adjacent but spaced somewhat below the level of the deflector 8 and the upper row of apertures being about at the same level as the deflector 8. A short continuous flange rises from the inner edges of deflector 8 and the curved upper section 9 form a neck II. In the form illustrated the tub A'is received within a reservoir [2 having the same general contour as to its back, bottom, sides and front, as these same parts of the tub A but being of somewhat larger size than the tub A. This reservoir l2 may be provided with a skirt 13 about its sides and front as shown to give it a somewhat better appearance. The tub A disposed in inwardly spaced relation from reservoir I2 may be conveniently supported from the bot-. tom of the reservoir by means of rubber capped ,lugs I4 attached to the bottom of the reservoir, the rubber caps Ma being provided to stabilize the tub A andto prevent the transmission of vibrations from the tub A to the reservoir I2. It is, of course, understood that the rubber capped lugs are not directly connected to the tub A so that it is possible to readily remove the tub from the reservoir for cleaning of the reservoir or the like. I

The reservoir I2 is equipped with suitable downwardly extending legs I5 whereby the entire machine may be supported as upon a floor or the like. The upper edge of the reservoir, which is circular in shape, projects somewhat above the neck II and received over the top of the reservoir is a closure plate l6. Plate l6 has an outerdown turned flange received about the outer part of the upper portion of the reservoir I2 and it has a down turned inner flange received within the neck II. To permit ready drainage of water that may accumulate on the closure plate It, the plate inclines somewhat downwardly from its outer to its inner portion.

A shouldered and flanged cover I1 carrying a handle is received within the inner flange of the closure plate 16 to close the top opening in the tub A,

Secured to a shelf l8 attached to the rear compounds are to be legs I5 is an electric motor l9 driving through its shaft 20 a water pump 2| also mounted on the shelf l8. Water pump 2| has its intake 2|a connected to the lowest part of the reservoir |2 at the central rear portion of the bottom of the reservoir. The outlet 2|b of pump 2| runs through and is connected to the back of the reservoir and it extends through an opening in the back 4 of the tub A at the central lower part of the same. The outlet 2|b terminates in a mouth 2|c directed forwardly within tub A in slightly spaced relation above the bottom 6 'of the tub. Pump cock 22-connected toits lowermost portion.

In preparing the washing machine for operation the tub A and the reservoir l2 are filled to a point somewhat below the level of the lowermost apertures I 0. Of course, the cover I1 is removed to fill the machine and the water together with whatever soap or other washing used are initially placed within the tub A, the water working-its way through pump 2| until part of it is received within reservoir l2. The clothes to be washed may then be introduced whereupon the top opening in the tub is closed by the cover I1, and the motor I9 is set in operation to drivethe pump 2|. The pump 2| will draw the washing that the apertures are fluid from the bottom ofthe reservoir l2 and force the same violently into the tub A through the mouth 2|c. Almost immediately the heighth of the washing fluid within the tub A to a point above the lowermost apertures |0 while of course the level of the fluid within the reservoir l2 will drop to a point considerably below the lowermost apertures l9.

The stream of washing fluid injected into the tub A will move rapidly upwardly and for-,

wardly from the back 4 of the tub along the bottom 6 and along the front 1, whereupon it willstrike the deflector 8 and be directed rearwardly as indicated by the arrows, Fig. 1. Water will drain into the reservoir |2 through the various apertures I0 and due to -the fact circumferentially spaced from each other through an arc of at least. 120 and preferably through a longer arc, the drainage of the washing fluid through these different apertures will not exert suflicient pull on the clothes within, the tub to lodge against the apertures, clog the same and prevent free circulation of the clothes. As the stream of water injected into the tub from the pump strikes the washing fluid already in the tub and the clothes-within the tub, all the washing fluid in the tub, together with the clothes, will be given a circulatory movement revolving generally roughly about a cylindrical axis horizontally disposed transversely in the center of the tub. The clothes having moved upwardly and forwardly along the bottom 6 and front and having been deflected rearwardly by the deflector 8 will arrive at the rear upper portion of the tub, whereupon the weight of the water soaked clothes will tend to cause them to sink by gravity to the bottom of the tub to be again acted upon by the stream ejected from the pump. 0f course, the general current movement of the fluid in the tub will also assist in causing the recirculation of the clothes to the bottom of the tub.

By reason of the circulatory action of the clothes, the clothes will string out in a,more or less sheet-like form and will not knot, tie or tangle together. Due to the fact that the main on the clothes,

2| is equipped with a drain.

will rise.

I open 'the cook 22 in the body of fluid within the. tub moves at a slower speed than the high velocity stream injected into the tub fromthe pump, the high velocity stream works through the clothes to produce a thorough cleansing action. Also the clothes move more rapidly near the front of the tub than at the rear portion of the tub which produces a further differential further assisting in the washing action. The weight of the clothes at the rear part of the tub tends to cause them to drop somewhatmore rapidly from the rear-part of the tub to the bottom of the rear tub at this point, thereby producing a further differential betweenthe speed of movement of the clothes and the speed of movement of the water to assist the washing action. -By reason of these facts, the clothes are very rapidly washed and very thoroughly washed.

As the machine is put into action, the agitain the water action I tion of the washingfluid containing soap causes suds to form in the tub, these suds rising to the top of the tub. the cumulative formation of these suds at the top of the tub, the suds would soon form so much foam as to interfere with the action of the machine. The apertured curved section 9 at the upper part of the tub prevents the cumulation formation of this sudsy foam. The foam will, of course, form until it rises to a level above the lowermost apertures III a, point about level with the middle row of apertures I. The formed foam moved by the If nothing was done to prevent and usually to water at the top of the tub is' carried over to points adjacent, the various apertures i0 and g the water draining through these apertures cooperating with the curvature of the curved section 9 causes the foam to drain out of the tub particularly through the higher apertures into the reservoir l2. The curved section 9 in conjunction with the surface of the water in the tub and 'the movement of the water towards the foam so as to cause its ejec- This same action does not curved section 9 is not provided in the tub. The prevention of the cumulative formation of sudsy foam .at the top of the tub is one of the most important features of the present invention. The location of the curved section 9 at approximately the same level as the deflector plate 8 also seems to have something to do with the elimination of the foam from the tub.

The water draining down from the apertures l0 in ,the reservoir. 2 produces a water falls action to prevent the cumulative formation of foam in the reservoir. In other words, the water sudsy foam down in the reservoir so as to mix the foam with' the water and destroy the foam.

To drain the machine it is only necessary to pump. The outlet 2|b of the pump flts loosely through the opening in the rear of the tub A so that when desired, cover l1, closure plate I6 and the tub A can be quickly removed from the reservoir l2.

The fact i that there are no moving parts within the tub A, prevents wear on. the clothes while they are being washed. The tearing of the clothes and the breaking of buttons thereon is held to the minimum. v I

It will, of course, be understood that various changes may be made in the form, details, arrangement and proportions of the machine of the present invention and the changes may be made in details of the washing process without departing from the scope of the present invention which, generally stated, consists in the matter shown and described and set forth in the appended claims.

The present application contains certain subject matter which is common to my prior application entitled Washing process and machine, Serial Number 747,035, flled October 5, 1934, and accordingly the present application is a continuation in part of my said prior application.

What is claimed is:

1. In a washing machine, a tub having a rearwardly extending deflector joining the upper portion of its front and having the upper portion of the remainder of the tub inwardly curved adjacent the level of said deflector, the inwardly curved portion having a multiplicity of horizontally spaced drain apertures therein, certain of which are located at different levels, means for circulating washing fluid upwardly along the front of the tub to strike said deflector and means for catching the fluid draining through said apertures and supplying said circulating means with the drained washing. fluid.

2. In a washing machine, a tub having a substantially circular upper portion in plan view, a rearwardly extending deflector joining the upper portion of the front of the tub, the remainder of the upper portion of the tub other than the front thereof having a continuous inwardly curved section at a level approximately flush with said deflector, said curved section having a multiplicity of drain apertures therein located at horizontally spaced points extending through an arc of at least 120, certain of said apertures being located at different levels, means for circulating washing fluid upwardly along the front of the tub ,to strike said deflector and means for catching the washing fluid draining through said apertures and supplying said circulating means with the washing fluid.

3. A washing machine comprising a tub having a bottom 'nclining upwardly and forwardly from the rear of the tub, the upper part of the front of the tub having a rearwardly extending water deflector joining the same and the upper part of the remainder of the tub being inwardly curved adjacent the level of said deflector and the curved portion having a multiplicity of circumferentially spaced drain apertures therein located certain of them at different levels close to but somewhat below the level of said deflector, a reservoir surrounding at least a portion of said tub and receiving from said drain apertures, a water pump receivingv from said reservoir and having a forwardly directed discharge mouth discharging into said tub .at the rear lower part of the same and means for operating said pump.

" 4. A washing machine comprising a tub having a bottom inclining upwardly and forwardly from the rear of. the tub, the upper part of the front of the tub having a rearwardly extending water deflector joining the same an the upper part of the remainder of the tub being inwardly curved adjacent the level of said deflector and the curved portion having a multiplicity of drain apertures therein circumferentially spaced through at least 120 of a circle and located certain of them at different levels close to but somewhat below the level of said deflector, a

reservoir receiving from said drain apertures, a water pump receiving from said reservoir and ferent levels 1 close to but having a forwardly directed discharge mouth discharging into said tub at the rear lower part of the same and means for operating said pump.

5. A washing machine comprising a tub having a bottom inclining upwardly and forwardly from the rear of the tub, a horizontal deflector set substantially normal to the upper edge of the front of the tub and projecting rearwardly therefrom, said deflector joining the upper part of the front of the tub and the upper part of the remainder of the tub being inwardly curved adjacent the level of said deflector and the curved portion having a multiplicity of circumferentially spaced drain apertures therein located certain of them at different levels close to but somewhat below the level of said deflector, a reservoir receiving from said drain apertures, a water pump receiving from said reservoir and having a forwardly directed discharge mouth discharging into said tub at the rear lower part of the same and means for operating said pump.

6. A washing machine having in combination a tub, a pump having a forwardly directed discharge mouth running into the lower rear part of the tub and directing fluid along the bottom tions having a multiplicity of horizontally spaced drain apertures therein, certain of said apertures being located at lower levels than others and a reservoir for catching the fluid draining through said apertures, said pump having an inlet receiving from said reservoir.

'7. A washing machine comprising a tub having the general shape of the bowl of an ordinary clay smoking pipe, the

upper part of the front of the tub having a rearwardly extending water deflector joining the same and the remainder of the upper part of the tub being inwardly curved adjacent the level of said deflector, the curved portion being provided with a multiplicity of circumferentially spaced drain apertures located certain of them at different levels close to but somewhat below the level of said deflector, a reservoir receiving from said drain apertures a water pump receiving from said reservoir and having. a forwardly directed discharge mouth running through the lower part of the rear of the tub and means for operating said pump.

8. A washing machine comprising a tub having an enclosing wall and a bottom inclining generally upwardly and forwardly from the rear of the tub and merging into the front and sides of the wall, the front of the tub having a rearwardly extending top section forming a water deflectorand the remainder of the tub being .inwardly curved at its top adjacent the level of said deflector and the curved portion having a multiplicity of circumferentially spaced drain apertures therein located certain of them at difsomewhat below the level of said deflector, a reservoir receiving from said drain apertures, a water pump receiving from said resevoi'r and having'a fowardly directed discharge mouth discharging into said tub at the lower rear part of the same and means for operating said pump.

9. A washing machine comprising a tub of general circular-shape in top plan view, of general semi-circular shape in transverse vertical cross section, and .of general upwardly and forwardly for circulating washing fluid upwardly along the flaring funnel-shape in central longitudinal vei front of the tub to strike said deflector and tical cross section, meansfor catching the fluid draining through said apertures and supplying said circulating means with the drained washing fluid.

ainder of the tub inwardly curved adjacent the level of said deflector, the inwardly curved portion having a multiplicity of horizontally spaced drain apertures therein, means 

